PITTSBURGH — The probe had not been asked in its entirety before Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi responded to it.
Question: “Do you feel like you’re ready to … ?”
Answer: “Yeah, I feel like I’m ready,” he said.
That settles that. So did his three “inning” live bullpen session Saturday morning at PNC Park. He threw north of 50 pitches, used each weapon in his arsenal and felt fine immediately afterward.
Rangers
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Eovaldi has no more boxes to check off in his rehab and, so long as bounces back from Saturday’s session, could bypass a minor league rehab assignment and start for the Rangers this upcoming week.
The earliest that Eovaldi — who has been sidelined since May 29 with posterior elbow inflammation — could likely start a game is Friday’s series opener against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. That would give him five full days off after Saturday’s bullpen.
The Rangers will likely start left-hander Patrick Corbin in Monday’s series opener against the Baltimore Orioles and may need to opt for another bullpen game Tuesday before right-hander Jacob deGrom starts Wednesday’s finale.
Related:How Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter hope to model their skill sets off Jacob deGrom’s
Eovaldi’s return will reinforce the American League’s best statistical rotation and give the Rangers five starters to work with so long as right-hander Kumar Rocker can continue to stick at the major league level. Right-hander Tyler Mahle is eligible to return from the injured list Friday but is expected to be down for longer as he and the Rangers are still waiting for further opinions on his fatigued right shoulder.
Rangers right-hander Jon Gray, who fractured his wrist in spring training, threw two “innings” opposite Eovaldi Saturday morning. Gray did not face hitters, though, but he threw 35 total pitches and used each pitch. He will likely throw one more bullpen without hitters before he throws a live one.
“I can’t complain,” Gray said. “The shapes [of the pitches] are good and it’s coming out well.”
Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (oblique strain) placed on injured list
To fill his spot on the roster, the Rangers recalled infielder Justin Foscue from Triple-A.
How Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter hope to model their skill sets off Jacob deGrom’s
“It’s the whole package but done every five days consistently,” Rocker said Friday afternoon. “It’s something you don’t see every day.”
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger exits game against Pirates with side tightness
Burger swung and missed at a Braxton Ashcraft sinker in the top of the seventh inning and grabbed his side.
Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.